Thursday, July 14, 2016

July 12, 2016 (Canadian Press) Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau thanked Canadian soldiers on Tuesday for their role in training
the Ukrainian army, before getting a demonstration of their work firsthand. Speaking
to some of the 200 soldiers who have been based near the western city of Lviv since
January, Trudeau emphasized the importance of continuing to support Ukraine in its
struggle with Russia. "It has been a long time since Canada had to defend our
valour and defend our territory," he said in French to the soldiers, who are
members of the Valcartier-based Royal 22e Regiment, better known as the Vandoos.
"But we need to continue to work with those who are fighting for democracy
and their territorial integrity. It is essential." Trudeau didn't say anything,
however, about whether the training mission will be extended. It is due to end next
March, though Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko made a personal request to Trudeau
on Monday to extend it.

The previous Conservative government
sent the Canadian military trainers to Ukraine last year in response to Russia's
annexation of Crimea and support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. The Canadians,
alongside British and American troops, have been teaching the Ukrainian army the
basics of soldiering, such as how to use weapons and move as a unit, as well as
more advanced skills such bomb disposal and medical training. "You are really
a source of extraordinary pride for all Canadians," Trudeau said. "And
this is an opportunity for me to thank you in person."

After speaking to the troops, Trudeau
was joined by his son Xavier and defence chief Gen. Jonathan Vance to watch a military
exercise involving a group of Canadian and Ukrainian soldiers. As the Trudeaus and
Vance watched through binoculars, a Soviet-era armoured personnel carrier led the
soldiers toward a wooden building. The air shook as its cannon fired several rounds
in quick succession.

The troops then moved away from
the vehicle and spread out in a line facing the building. Four Canadians
followed close behind as the eight Ukrainians slowly closed on the building,
firing all the way, before placing an explosive inside and setting it off. The
exercise was designed to show how Canadian troops have been helping bring the
Ukrainians up to a level where they can push back against Russian-backed rebels
in eastern Ukraine. It came at the end of a six-day trip through Eastern Europe
for Trudeau in which Russia loomed large. Trudeau flies home from Lviv later
today after having pledged troops to Latvia while attending the NATO summit in
Poland, paying an emotional visit to the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau
concentration camp, and signing a free trade agreement in Ukraine's capital,
Kyiv.